Beat Garden Pests This Summer With This Cheat Sheet

Summer Pest Survival Cheat Sheet A quick-action plan for zone 9b (and warm zones): scout fast, treat smart, protect beneficials, and keep harvests rolling all summer. Download the Printable Cheat Sheet (PDF) Covers: aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, caterpillars (including hornworms), squash bugs, leaf miners, thrips, flea beetles. Quick ID (What am I seeing?) Signs Likely […]

How to Soak Garlic Before Planting

How to Soak Garlic Before Planting A simple two-step prep—fertilizer soak first, then a short hydrogen-peroxide rinse—for stronger starts and cleaner cloves in Zone 9b. Total Prep~4 hrs (mostly hands-off) Best TimingZone 9b: Late Oct–Nov Soak OrderFertilizer → Peroxide Printable1-Page PDF Guide VideoWatch on YouTube What You’ll Need Item Notes Garlic heads Choose large, firm […]

Soil Mix For Raised Garden Beds

Soil Mix for Raised Garden Beds The exact blends, ratios, and step-by-step method we use to fill raised beds once—and keep them thriving for seasons. What makes a great raised bed mix? Raised beds do best with a blend that drains well, holds steady moisture, and feeds the soil food web. Think of it as […]

Salsa Garden Problems – Solved!

From blossom end rot to bird attacks, my salsa garden kept me guessing—but once I solved the problems, I harvested baskets of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cilantro for fresh homemade salsa. Here’s how I did it (and what I learned along the way).

My Attack On Aphids

How I Beat Aphids (For Good) A short story from our raised beds—and the exact action plan I now follow any time aphids show up. Once upon a Tuesday in the garden… The cucumbers looked fine from the path—perky, even smug. But when I turned a leaf, the stems were crowded with tiny, soft-bodied squatters. […]

The Essential Gardening Kit For Beginners

Everything You Need to Start a Garden From Scratch A simple guide for beginners who want to grow food, flowers, and confidence in their own backyard. So… you want to start a garden. Whether it’s for fresh herbs, homegrown veggies, or the satisfaction of getting your hands in the dirt, you’re in the right place. […]

Low Maintenance Winter Garden Plants

Winter gardening in Zone 9b is a breeze with the right approach! Discover low-maintenance tips to keep your garden thriving during the cooler months, including hardy vegetables, frost-tolerant flowers, and simple strategies for watering, mulching, and pest control. Whether you’re growing kale, broccoli, or vibrant pansies, winter is the perfect time to enjoy a stress-free and productive garden. Embrace the season and let your garden flourish with minimal effort!

Top 10 Gardening Tools I Can’t Live Without for Raised Garden Beds

Discover the top tools every raised bed gardener needs to make gardening easier and more enjoyable! From must-haves like a durable hand trowel and ergonomic garden kneeler to specialized tools like Felco trimmers and a soil moisture meter, this guide covers it all. Learn why these tools are essential, how they can streamline your gardening tasks, and find links to my trusted recommendations. Perfect for gift-giving or upgrading your garden toolkit!

Benefits of Hardware Cloth

When it comes to gardening, protecting your plants and ensuring they thrive is a top priority. One simple yet highly effective way to enhance your raised garden beds is by incorporating hardware cloth. In this blog post, we’ll explore what hardware cloth is and the numerous benefits it brings to your garden.